"Healthy You, Healthy Planet Festival" at Missouri Botanical Garden

By Julie Bierach

St. Louis, MO - Experience the power of plants and learn how to live a healthy, green lifestyle at the 2nd annual “Healthy You, Healthy Planet Festival,” Saturday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Hosted by the Garden and the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, enjoy a day of healthy talks, tips, food, fitness and fun!

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s research collaboration with the Siteman Cancer Center, an international leader in cancer treatment, research, prevention, education and community outreach, has led to the “Healthy You, Healthy Planet Festival,” to promote the connection between good health and green living. Plants are essential to the basic survival of both people and the planet; they provide medicines, nourishment, shelter and the oxygen we breathe.

This year, First Lady Georganne Nixon will speak at the festival to highlight the importance of connecting Missouri children with nature. Speaking at 11 a.m. in the Gladney Rose Garden, Mrs. Nixon will discuss the “Children in Nature Challenge,” which directs state agencies to encourage Missouri communities to give children more opportunities to learn about and experience nature first-hand in all parts of the state. Connecting children with nature improves children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Mrs. Nixon will answer questions and share in photography, time permitting.

Become inspired to lead a healthy lifestyle and learn about the positive choices you can make to benefit both your health and the health of the planet. Expert-led talks will discuss the benefits of adopting healthy cooking habits, ways to prevent diseases, screening guidelines for breast cancer, and medicinal plants. Green products and supplies will provide earth positive choices.

Have health questions? Washington University experts and physicians at Barnes-Jewish

Hospital will offer free health screenings and opportunities to “ask the expert.” Talk one-on-one with physicians and experts about a variety of health issues including: colon and rectal cancer, pancreas and upper GI cancers, gynecological cancers, lung and esophageal cancers, hereditary cancer, dermatology and melanoma, and breast cancer. Relaxation techniques, massages and traditional remedies, including Chinese herbs will also be presented.

Learn about colon cancer and walk through the human colon. The 12-foot-high, 30-foot-long inflatable colon offers an up-close look at healthy colon tissue, colorectal polyps and various stages of colorectal cancer.

Visit the women’s pavilion to get information on breast health screenings and talk to physicians about correct methods of self-examination. The Siteman Cancer Center’s Every Woman, Everywhere Mobile Mammography Van will be available for screenings by appointment only. To schedule a mammogram call (800) 600-3606. Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breasts and is the best test for identifying breast cancer before it can be felt.

Throughout the day, work off stress by participating in fit-for-life routines including yoga, tai chi, and more. Participate in “Turbo Kick,” “Punk Rope” and “Zumba” demonstrations provided by YMCA of Greater St. Louis Activate America. Hula hoop your way to a healthy body with demonstrations from the St. Louis Hoop Club or participate in a morning yoga-based stretch amid the beauty of the Garden with Big Bend Yoga.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital will offer healthy activities for children in the “Kid’s Corner,” including making your own trail mix and “Fit & Fun at Home” activities. Get your face painted and learn about the importance of recycling.

The “Healthy You, Healthy Planet Festival” is included with Garden admission of $8; St.

Louis City and County residents enjoy discounted admission of $4 and free admission on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until noon. Children ages 12 and under and Garden members are free. Healthy foods from area vendors will be available for purchase.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit and from Interstate 64 at the Kingshighway North & South

exit. Free parking is available on-site and two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

For general information, visit www.mobot.org or call the recorded event line at (314) 5779400 or toll-free 1 (800) 642-8842.

The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine is an international leader in cancer treatment, research, prevention, education and community outreach. It is the only cancer center in Missouri and within a 240-mile radius of St. Louis to hold the prestigious comprehensive cancer center designation from the National Cancer Institute. The Siteman Cancer Center offers the extensive expertise of more than 350 Washington University research scientists and physicians, many of whom provide care for nearly 8,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients and more than 30,000 follow-up patients each year at Siteman's main St. Louis campus and at satellite facilities in two adjacent counties. These scientists and physicians hold $160 million in cancer research and related training grants. The results of basic laboratory research are rapidly incorporated into treatment advances, a process that is enhanced by patient access to more than 350 cancer clinical trials. In addition, Siteman's cancer screening and educational efforts touch tens of thousands of lives annually throughout the St. Louis region.

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is “to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.” Today, 151 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education and horticultural display.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in St. Louis, just south of I-44 at Vandeventer-Kingshighway (exit #287B). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Dec. 25. Grounds open at 7 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays (exception: special admission rate events). Admission is $8; free children ages 12 and under and Garden members. St. Louis City and County residents are $4 and free Wednesdays and Saturdays until noon (exception: special admission rate events - third weekend of May, Labor Day weekend, and first weekend of October). Park for free on site and two blocks west at the Shaw-Vandeventer intersection. The Garden is easily accessible by taking the MetroLink commuter rail line to the Central West End station and picking up a Metro bus (www.metrostlouis.org). For general information, log on to www.mobot.org or call the 24-hour recording at (314) 577-9400 or 1 (800) 642-8842. For membership information, visit www.mobot.org/membership call (314) 577-5118 during weekday business hours. For volunteer opportunities, visit www.mobot.org/volunteer or call (314) 577-5187. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a tobacco-free environment.

To view Missouri Botanical Garden's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-1032-Missouri_Botanical_Garden